The Boston Celtics’ NBA Finals celebration had more slip-ups than their run to the title.
Amid the trophy presentation for the Celtics’ 18th NBA Championship on Monday night – becoming the winningest franchise in NBA history – owner Wyc Grousbeck accidentally addressed longtime sideline reporter Lisa Salters as Michelle.
Salters asked Grousbeck about how the team met and exceeded the lofty expectations put on them this season.
“Michelle, the brilliance of Joe Mazzulla is that he wouldn’t let expectations get in the way,” Grousbeck responded in crediting the Celtics coach.
“Joe Mazzulla said there is no expectations, you have to win or die trying. Joe set a plan and kept everyone focused. These guys played team basketball, great Celtics basketball. It wasn’t about expectations, it was about getting it done. Banner 18.”
Grousbeck is one of four members of the investment group, the Boston Basketball Partners, which purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million.
The Worcester, Mass., native is an entrepreneur who has been the majority owner of the Celtics for over two decades.
It was Salters’ third year working the NBA Finals – a position previously held by Doris Burke, who is now in the booth alongside Mike Breen and JJ Redick.
Salters kicked off her career with ESPN in 2000 and has since reported for two of ESPN’s biggest sports properties: “Monday Night Football” and NBA games on ESPN and ABC.
In May 2023, Salters won her first Sports Emmy in the “Outstanding Personality/Reporter” category.
She was on hand as the Celtics finished off an astounding 16-3 playoff record run, which now stands as the 10th-best postseason record in NBA history.
The Mavericks were no match for the Celtics with Boston holding Dallas under 100 points in all four of their wins.
The playoff dominance came after a brilliant 64-18 regular season.
It marked Mazzulla’s first championship as a head coach, who took over the reins last season – replacing Ime Udoka.
There is a chance that Grousbeck was referring to a former ESPN on ABC sideline reporter, Michelle Tafoya, who happened to be the reporter for the Celtic’s previous title run in 2008.
However, Tafoya last worked at the NBA Finals over a decade ago.
